Use of geoprocessing in the study of land degradation in urban environments: the case of the city of São Carlos, state of São Paulo, Brazil

This paper presents a methodology for the geological engineering survey of land degradation in urban environments using both remote sensing and geoprocessing tools. The area under study was the city of São Carlos, state of São Paulo, Brazil (urban and expansion area). The data presented here were ob...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental earth sciences 2007-12, Vol.53 (4), p.727-739
Main Authors: Pons, Nívea Adriana Dias, Pejon, Osni José, Zuquette, Lázaro Valentin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerial photography
Applied geophysics
Biodegradation
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Engineering geological mapping
Environmental conditions
Environmental degradation
Environmental studies
Exact sciences and technology
Geological engineering
Geoprocessing
Ikonos
Internal geophysics
Land degradation
orthophotography
Pollution, environment geology
Quality of life
Remote sensing
Urban areas
Urban environments
Urban populations
Urbanization
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This paper presents a methodology for the geological engineering survey of land degradation in urban environments using both remote sensing and geoprocessing tools. The area under study was the city of São Carlos, state of São Paulo, Brazil (urban and expansion area). The data presented here were obtained from earlier studies, photointerpretation and geological engineering mapping. The Envi 4.1 software package was used to prepare the digital orthophotos that served as a reference base for the information. Orthorectification of the Ikonos image (PSM, 1 m) was done and compared with other orthophotos from studies of environmental degradation in urban areas. The evolution of land degradation processes was analyzed based on the photointerpretation of aerial photographs taken on different dates and using Ikonos image. This study allowed to conclude that most of the degradation occurring in the city has been caused by unplanned land occupation, in disregard of environmental conditions, resulting in environmental degradation and thus impacting the quality of life of the urban population.
ISSN:0943-0105
1866-6280
1432-0495
1866-6299
DOI:10.1007/s00254-007-0685-y